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Wall cistern: C.1920-1928

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An image of Wall cistern
Current Location: In storage

Maker(s)

Production: Unidentified Heimberg Pottery

Entities

Categories

Description

Reddish-brown earthenware painted in green, brown and cream with floral sprays and dated 1823 under clear glaze

Reddish-brown earthenware painted in dark brown and white slip and copper-green, under clear glaze. The cistern is rectangular with a slanting top, bevelled front corners, and a horizontal D-shaped opening near the top of the undecorated back for filling. On the viewer's left side there is a projecting hook for suspension; the one on the other side has been broken off. In the middle of the lower edge at the front, It has a small spigot in the shape of a grotesque mask with bulging eyes and an open mouth containing a metal cylinder. The top, front, and sides are decorated with simple floral sprays, and on either side of the spigot, trailed in dark brown, is the date 18 28.

Notes

History note: Mr Dreyfus, Geneva, from whom purchased for 15 francs on 22 February 1904 by Dr J.W.L. Glaisher, FRS, Trinity College

Legal notes

Dr J. W. L. Glaisher Bequest

Measurements and weight

Depth: 9.9 cm
Height: 22 cm
Width: 186 cm

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1928-12-07) by Glaisher, J. W. L., Dr

Dating

1820s
Production date: dated AD 1828

Components of the work

Decoration composed of slip ( dark brown and white) oxide colour ( probably copper green)
Surface composed of glaze ( probably lead-glaze; except back and base)
Top, Sides, Front

Materials used in production

Earthenware

Techniques used in production

Hand building

Inscription or legends present

  • Text: 18 28
  • Location: On front
  • Method of creation: Trailed in dark brown slip
  • Type: Date

References and bibliographic entries

Identification numbers

Accession number: C.1920-1928
Primary reference Number: 72874
Old object number: 2057

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Tuesday 13 January 2026

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

Citation for print

This record can be cited in the Harvard Bibliographic style using the text below:

The Fitzwilliam Museum (2026) "Wall cistern" Web page available at: https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/72874 Accessed: 2026-02-12 12:33:44

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{{cite web|url=https://data.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/id/object/72874 |title=Wall cistern |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2026-02-12 12:33:44|publisher=The University of Cambridge}}

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